In addition to the generally used functionalities above, the solution has also seen development to address challenges in a particular vertical.This article deals with Arch functionality developed to address major challenges specific to and the general application of Arch in the Fresh Retail vertical.

The high frequency of price changes, and failure to synchronise these changes accurately and timeously across all scales and systems can not only lead to significant losses, but also disgruntled customers and loss of trust.Arch has in conjunction with leading South African scale suppliers developed a fully automated solutions where scales, without user intervention, automatically update price changes once effected in Arch Retail.This also applies to promotional price changes, when scales automatically update upon commencement and termination of promotions.

The legacy 13-digit EAN barcode has limited application to contribute to inventory accuracy and control, while causing stock discrepancies when prices are changed and pre-packed items are sold on labels with the previous selling price.Arch now uses the latest barcode technology that allows for embedding weight or quantity and sell-by date in the barcode, which improves accuracy and control of inventory, but also preventing sale of items past their sell-by dates at point of sale.This builds consumer trust and enhances their shopping experience.

In addition Arch also features a bulk sales and quoting function with customer specific pricing options, a feature particularly useful when dealing with bulk customers such as restaurants, B&B’s, hotels etc.

Metro Food Market – “We have a hybrid store and Arch caters very well for both our retail and wholesale sections of the business”;

Square Mart – “We’ve been running on Arch for 10 years and did not think twice to also implement Arch in our new store” and “Arch is powerful when it comes to stock management, something which is critical in a fresh produce store with perishables”;

Africa Fruit & Veg – “Suggested ordering schedule in Arch is great, since it pro-actively alerts us what to order, when to order and at what price;

Foodlovers Market, Talatona – “Live operational data which means I can make accurate timely decisions to optimise store performance” and “Arch as a solution gave us the confidence to open a second store in Luanda”.